PHF fines eight players participated in WSH

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Tuesday put a huge penalty on the players who participated in illegal $2 million World Series Hockey (WSH).
“The PHF has imposed a Rs 1 million penalty each on Shakeel Abbasi and Rehan Butt while the remaining players has been asked to pay Rs 250,000 fine as a punishment to the federation,” an official of the PHF said
The players have a chance to appeal against the penalty within seven days to Qasim Zia, president of PHF.
Apart from Rehan and Shakeel, seasoned campaigner Zeeshan Ashraf, Mudassar Ali, Tariq Aziz, midfielder Adnan Maqsood, half back Waseem Ahmad, Pakistan’s most capped player, and drag-flicker Syed Imran Warsi had participated in WSH.
WSH is a lucrative league organised by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and Nimbus Sports. IHF is not affiliated to the FIH and the world body recognises Hockey India (HI) as the national federation for Hockey in India.
The six players including Mudassar Ali Khan, Adnan Maqsood, Wasim Ahmed, Zeeshan Ashraf, Imran Warsi and Tariq Aziz have been handed out a fine of Rs 250000 each.
He said the decision has been taken to enforce discipline. The punished players participated in WSH which was declared an illegal and unsanctioned hockey event by games ruling body – the international hockey federation.
The committee headed by Vice President, PHF, Wasay Jalil and Rana Farooq, Saghir Ahmad and Saeed Khan as its members heard the point of view of the players in their personal hearing, barring Mudassar, Adnan and Imran.
Mudassar did not appear before the committee while Adnan and Imran also stayed away as they were playing league in Russia.
The punished players have been given a week time to appear against the decision. The Committee demanded from the players their original contract/documents with the NIMBUS and record of first payment received. All of them provided the required record except Imran Warsi as he was out of country. The players face one year ban in case they fail to give the fine money and in that circumstances they will not be able to play in any national or international event.